In their defense, Lynx win title

The Oley Valley defense proved to be too big of an obstacle for Wilson's title defense bid.

The trio of Nicole Marburger, Erin Solley and Kelsey Zook constantly prevented the Bulldogs from getting good shots Wednesday night at Gov. Mifflin. On the few occasions when Wilson got past them, goalie Megan Feeg was there to back them up.

"We don't want to be scored on at all," Marburger said.

For the 10th straight game, the Lynx didn't allow a goal. And for the eighth time in the nine years, the Lynx are the Berks County champions after a 2-0 win over Wilson in the county championship game.

Marburger scored less than seven minutes into the game on a penalty corner and did the rest of her work on the defensive end as the Lynx (20-1) avenged last year's county semifinal loss to the Bulldogs (13-6-1).

"Getting that early goal really gets us going and really picks us up," Solley said. "If feels great, especially to get it back from Wilson. They took it from us last year."

Wilson ended Oley's run of seven straight county titles last year and looked to retain the title. But the loss wasn't for lack of effort.

Wilson outshot Oley 8-6 and had an 8-6 edge in penalty corners. The Bulldogs dominated the second half, when they took six shots and had five corners while the Lynx had just one of each.

Oley was able to convert two of its penalty corners in the first half for a 2-0 lead.

With 22:26 left, Amber Aulenbach took a shot from the top of the circle that Marburger deflected in for a goal. With 3:48 left in the half, Wanamaker inserted the ball on a corner and Brittany Krall blasted it past Wilson goalie Kelley Wentling for her fifth goal in three county playoff games.

The two-goal lead seemed like a huge cushion for a defense that has allowed only nine goals all season, with five of those coming in the first two games.

The Bulldogs started putting pressure on the Lynx at the end of the first half with two straight penalty corners as time expired. But the Lynx escaped unscathed.

"The defense just worked together like we always do," Marburger said. "We've been working together really hard this season. We just work very well us three back there."

Led by returning All-Berks player Jesse Ebner, Wilson continued to pressure the Lynx in the second half. Wilson was on the attack for much of the last 30 minutes and prevented Oley from mounting much offense.

However, it wasn't enough for the Bulldogs to avoid a fifth county playoff loss to Lynx since 2002, and their third loss to Oley in the county final in five years.

"I think Jesse Ebner was just amazing," Sheaffer said. "I can't ask for anything more. I thought my team played great. I'm very proud of them."

But the pride, and the county trophy, returned to Oley after a one-year absence. It was the Lynx's 11th Berks championship in 13 years and 12th since 1994.

It also was the culmination of a goal the Lynx had since the first day of practice.

"We had it set in our mind during preseason that we wanted to win it back, and we got it," Marburger said. "It feels great."